Pets in Thailand spread rabies
Pets in Thailand are a major source of rabies because most are not vaccinated, the health ministry says. Rabies, also known as rabies, is caused by an infection with the rabies virus. Humans can become infected through a bite, scratch or lick from an infected animal. Infection in humans is fatal in many cases.
The first symptoms usually appear 20 to 60 days after infection. The disease starts with non-specific symptoms such as chills, fever, vomiting and headache. In a later stage, hyperactivity, neck stiffness, muscle cramps and paralysis occur. Ultimately, complications such as swallowing and breathing problems lead to death. Preventive treatment is only possible before the onset of symptoms. Untreated rabies infections are always fatal.
Prevention
Prevention has been high on the list of the health ministry in Thailand since the Infectious Disease Act came into effect last year and it was found that 80 percent of pets are a potential threat because they are not vaccinated. This year three people have already died of rabies, last year there were five.
It was thought that the spread of rabies was mainly due to stray dogs. An oath to catch them and still vaccinate them. The municipality of Bangkok says that it has succeeded in reducing the rabies virus through campaigns. No rabies cases have been reported in the capital since 2013. Nevertheless, the municipality wants owners to have their pets vaccinated. Between 1999 and 2012, seven people died of rabies in Bangkok.
The Ministry of Health wants Thailand to be rabies-free by 2020, making it compliant with the guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health.
With all those stray dogs all over Thailand, it is actually a mystery to me that more people are not infected with the rabies virus. In the past, it was mandatory in the Netherlands to put a tag on your dog so that it was clear that the dog had received its rabies vaccination. At the moment it is only mandatory for imported dogs and cats or if you want to take your pet abroad.
Prevention is high on the list. AWESOME! And then I read 'Bangkok' and something is being done there, apparently. Here people forget the countryside where people don't have pets but 'animals at the house' that bark when a burglar comes, that catch a mouse or snake, so get the leftovers from the table and the rest they just scrape together in the garbage.
In fourteen years here I never even saw the beginning of information, a start of advising a syringe (and let them put a contraceptive in it right away, please, because those animals are breeding very fast...) so the information is zero and the people themselves know nothing, with all due respect. Only after being bitten by a dog do they walk to the local clinic to hear that vaccination costs 1.500 baht and then they say: too expensive. And no agenda in the house for the follow-up injections.
I am also surprised that so few cases are known. Although, is any case being reported? Malaria is a much easier word and as a doctor you don't get any difficult questions. 'Heart stopped' is also possible…..
about three months ago my wife was bitten by a neighbour's dog. She got a swelling where the teeth had gone through the skin and went to the local nursing station (or what's it called?). From there she was sent to the hospital where she received an injection and antibiotics for two weeks. Afterwards she had to go back for a check-up and was given antibiotics again and a new follow-up appointment. Apparently all danger had passed last month, but the nursing units are certainly aware of the seriousness of the situation. She didn't talk to me about charges so I assume she didn't have to pay. It depends – I think – on whether they register this as an illness or an accident. Sickness is free, accident is payable.
Rats are almost all infected with rabbies and a bite, for example in a dog, also infects it. Bangkok is infested with rats and there are more than residents of Bangkok. I had, in the 70s, 3 dogs in Bangkok, 1 of which was infected with rabbies. Killed in quarantine at the vet and then had to go to the Red Cross on Henry Dunant Road for an autopsy. Was diagnosed with rabbies and the whole family had to come daily for anti-rabbies injections. Long needles in the abdomen. Then I started exterminating rats, but it was impossible. Long story.
That's why I stopped my morning run. Was constantly attacked by barking and biting vermin. Here one can actually only move safely by car.
My wife also doesn't allow me to go cycling or jogging because of 'dangerous' dogs.
I've gone cycling and it's true, sometimes those yaps come off to bite your ankles.
It's not a 'story' and it's not that harmless to read!